Following a bye week, the 4A Snowflake Lobos returned to action with a road game against 5A Gilbert on Friday night. After the long bus ride, it took a little while for the Lobos to get on track but following one first period score, they tacked on a defensive score in the second, and another two scores in the fourth period, winning the game 36-7.
Snowflake’s first possession ended with a nine-yard scoring run by Kanton Turley. The PAT was missed, giving Snowflake the early 6-0 lead. With the Lobo defense forcing a Gilbert punt late in the first quarter, Snowflake found the endzone early in the second on Turley’s second rushing touchdown, this time from 11 yards out. Sam Brown’s point after kick was good giving the Lobos a 13-0 lead.
The defensive unit tackled Gilbert in their own endzone for two more points midway through the second, pushing the score to 15-0. Following Gilbert’s free kick from the safety Snowflake marched down the field again, putting more points on the board when Aaden Coor punched in a five-yard run. Brown’s PAT made the score 22-0.
Gilbert forced the Lobos to punt on their first second-half possession. They then marched down the field, putting points on the board late in the third period on a short rushing touchdown making the score 22-7 in favor of the Lobos.
Snowflake countered early in the fourth with a five-yard touchdown pass from Brennan Bryant to Karter Raban, extending the Snowflake lead to 29-7.
The Lobo defense held up with four minutes left in the game, turning away Gilbert inside Snowflake’s five-yard line preserving their 29-7 lead. The final points of the night came on a 13-yard pass from Bryant to Payton Papa. Brown’s point made the final score 36-7, leaving the Lobos with their season record balanced at 2-2.
Bryant completed 11 of 23 passes for 174 yards, with two touchdowns and one interception. Ezra Baum caught two for 50 yards. Raban had four for 48 yards, with a score. Papa caught three for 44 yards and a score. Merrick Ulberg had one 22-yard catch, and Colton Tidwell had one 10-yard reception.
Raban controlled the ground game with 113 yards and a touchdown on just 14 carries. Turley also had a good night, gaining 106 yards on 15 runs with two scores. Coor rushed for six yards and Bryant had two yards rushing.
Coor led the defensive unit with 14 tackles. Ryker Brimhall and Jo Jo Lerma each had 10 tackles. Andrew Bentley and Teague Reidhead were both credited with two sacks.
This week the Lobos will host Seton Catholic on Friday night. The Sentinals are 1-4 on the season coming off a two-point loss to Estrella Foothills last week. Snowflake should be able to push their record to 3-2 with a win.
